Local law enforcement confirmed that a Spencer County High School student brought a firearm to campus Tuesday and that the weapon changed hands sometime during the school day.

Although investigators say the gun was not loaded, bullets were reported to have been with the firearm. No one was hurt as a result and two male students have been charged and taken into custody.

The Spencer County Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation. Sheriff Donald "Buddy" Stump said in a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the father of an SCHS student contacted the sheriff's office around 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, reporting that his child had witnessed another student with a gun at the school.

Investigators were able to gather enough information by around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning and two male SCHS students, one 15 years old and another 16 years old, were apprehended and transported to the Lincoln Village Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Elizabethtown. Stump said the gun did change hands between the two students.

"They were with the gun at the school," Stump said of the bullets Wednesday. "They were with the gun but it was not loaded."

The 16-year-old student faces one charge of possession of a firearm on school grounds and one charge of theft by unlawful taking — firearm. The 15-year-old student faces one charge of possession of a firearm on school grounds and one count of receiving stolen property — firearm. They are felony charges.

Spencer County High School Principal Curt Haun said the parent also came into the school Tuesday morning and reported that his daughter saw the gun on campus Tuesday. Haun said the Taylorsville Police Department and sheriff's department were contacted. Taylorsville Police Chief Toby Lewis said his department did respond to the school and assisted in the initial investigation, however, since the sheriff's department was already involved, the matter was turned over to that agency.

Haun penned a letter to parents/guardians regarding the incident and it was sent home with students Wednesday. The text is available below.

The letter states, "At no time was the weapon loaded or a direct danger to students. The fast action of the TPD and the SCSO brought the incident to a quick and safe resolution. As with all school discipline and law enforcement investigations, details about those involved cannot be released at this time."

Assistant Principal Steven Rucker said it is believed the weapon was not intended to be used on school grounds.

"They asked during the course of the investigation and it was not for school-related purposes," Rucker said.

Haun and Rucker said both the police and sheriff's departments responded quickly and school officials were pleased with the response.

The following is the letter to parents/guardians that is being distributed to students today:

February 27, 2013
Bear Family,
Spencer County Public Schools is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all of our students. Following established protocols and acting on information provided to school administration, a weapon was reported to be on the campus of Spencer County High School on Tuesday, February 26. School officials, in cooperation with the Taylorsville Police Department and Spencer County Sheriff's Office, recovered the weapon at an off campus site and have isolated those involved with the incident.
At no time was the weapon loaded or a direct danger to students. The fast action of the TPD and SCSO brought the incident to a quick and safe resolution. As with all school discipline and law enforcement investigations, details about those involved cannot be released at this time.
Spencer County High School and the Spencer County Public Schools wish to thank our local law enforcement agencies for their prompt and professional handling of this situation. The strong partnership that exists between SCHS and our local law enforcement community continues to provide a safe and secure learning environment for the students of Spencer County.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at (502) 477- 3255 or via email at curt.haun@spencer.kyschools.us.